Chapter 782: True Monarch Gathering

The azure Flying Boat of True Monarch Qingxiao was itself an Upper Grade Tier Three Magical Treasure.

With her Nascent Soul True Monarch cultivation fully driving it, its escape speed was as fast as a shooting star.

The two were currently within the middle region of the Nine Heavens; though the astral winds here were fierce, there were none of the cumbersome obstructions of the Low Tier sky regions. Their journey was smooth and unimpeded, without encountering any mishap.

In just the span of a month, the outline of a gigantic Immortal City emerged on the distant horizon.

As the Flying Boat drew ever closer, the full appearance of the Immortal City became increasingly clear.

The city walls were built from whole blocks of ten-thousand-year Warm Jade, a hundred zhang tall and stretching for several thousand li.

The City Defense Array runes carved upon the walls were densely packed; when sunlight poured down, the runes circulated and myriad rays of rosy light surged forth, shrouding the entire Immortal City in a halo of peace.

At the city gate, dozens of cultivators in uniform silver armor stood guard with long spears in hand, the ones leading them were all Core Formation True Men.

Their gazes were as sharp as eagles’, carefully scrutinizing every cultivator entering the city.

Above the city gate hung a massive gilded plaque, upon which were written four large characters: “Celestial Essence Immortal City”.

The calligraphy was vigorous and forceful, with a faint flow of Spirit Charm; it was clearly the work of a High Tier cultivator.

True Monarch Qingxiao controlled the Flying Boat to slowly descend. “This city is the commercial core of Yuan Province, bolstered by ancient Restrictions; any form of fighting is strictly forbidden.”

“Those who violate this will be directly erased by the City Defense Array. You may enter the city without worry.”

Hearing this, Li Ji’an felt a slight stir in his heart.

He raised his eyes toward that magnificent Immortal City, secretly marveling at its profound foundation.

He then replied, “This junior understands. Many thanks for True Monarch’s reminder.”

True Monarch Qingxiao nodded slightly, then shifted the topic. “You are new to this place; you may first enter the city on your own and purchase the Spiritual Materials you require. I must go seek out a few acquainted True Monarch Dao friends to inquire about news of a certain small trade gathering.”

She then added, “Act as you see fit. If you encounter trouble you cannot resolve, just send me a voice transmission. I will come as quickly as possible.”

Only after True Monarch Qingxiao turned and departed as a streak of azure rainbow light did Li Ji’an rein in his thoughts and walk toward the city gate.

The silver-armored cultivators on duty merely cast him a single glance before letting him pass, without excessive questioning.

The instant he stepped into the Immortal City, a dense surge of Spiritual Qi rushed at him.

This Spiritual Qi was even purer than that of the Tier Four Dao Field of Qinglan Sect.

The streets were wide and level, paved with bluish-white jade; pavilions and towers lined both sides, all ancient-style structures from bygone eras.

Many shops had various signboards hanging above their doors; cultivators came and went in front of them in an endless stream, bustling with activity.

Li Ji’an walked slowly along the street, his gaze sweeping over the shops and stalls on both sides.

The primary goal of his coming to the city this time was to replenish the Spiritual Materials needed to refine a Tier Three High-Level Puppet.

The second was to purchase some High Tier Talisman Materials and Spirit Medicine.

Meanwhile, within a secluded manor in Celestial Essence Immortal City—

True Monarch Qingxiao was sitting opposite a Nascent Soul True Monarch dressed in a purple robe.

The Purple Robe True Monarch had a kindly face and asked with a smile, “Dao friend Qingxiao, have you come today for the sake of that small trade gathering in the coming days?”

True Monarch Qingxiao nodded, her tone carrying a hint of earnestness. “Indeed. I have heard that a Tier Four Pill Master will attend this gathering. I wish to seek a Tier Four Spirit Medicine suited for the Nascent Soul Stage to attempt to treat my Master’s injuries. I wonder if Dao friend could perhaps put in a word for me?”

At the mention of her Master, True Monarch Xuanji’s injuries, a trace of worry flashed through her eyes.

This was one of the reasons she was determined to come here.

She had previously heard that there was a renowned Tier Four Pill Master in Celestial Essence Immortal City who would be attending a small trade gathering in the near future.

Thus she was intent on obtaining a Tier Four Spirit Medicine; even if there was only a sliver of hope, she still wished to attempt to treat her Master.

The Purple Robe True Monarch, upon hearing this, pondered for a moment before saying, “That Tier Four Pill Master’s Dao title is Xuanchen, and he will indeed attend this gathering. However, such private gatherings are not something one can attend at will. Only Dao friends whose backgrounds are well-known, or those brought in by an acquaintance, may enter.”

“Back then, I once followed my Master to a similar gathering here in Celestial Essence Immortal City, but I did not personally take part in those core transactions.” True Monarch Qingxiao’s tone carried a faint nostalgia. “This time, I came precisely to ask Dao friend for help with an introduction.”

“What difficulty is there in that?” The Purple Robe True Monarch agreed readily. “Pill Master Xuanchen and I have met a few times; I can introduce you. However, the gathering will not formally begin until tomorrow. Today you can rest here first; tomorrow I will take you there.”

Joy rose in True Monarch Qingxiao’s heart. She rose and nodded slightly in thanks. “Many thanks for Dao friend’s assistance. Such great kindness is beyond words.”

This Purple Robe True Monarch was precisely from the Crimson Cloud Holy Land, one of the three great Holy Lands of the Dao Yi Realm, and had old ties with True Monarch Qingxiao’s Master, True Monarch Xuanji.

On the other side, Li Ji’an had already been wandering the stall district for nearly two hours.

The commercial trade of Celestial Essence Immortal City was vastly different from that of the Great Marsh Cultivation Realm; here, most of the High Tier Spiritual Materials were sold in the city by Loose Cultivators themselves.

The mining regions of Yuan Province were rich in Spiritual Materials. Even though they had long been enclosed and divided up by countless great powers, there would still always be Loose Cultivators of heaven-defying fortune who stumbled upon opportunities.

And under the protection of the ancient Restrictions of Celestial Essence Immortal City, as long as they entered the Immortal City, they were already safe and could freely trade.

However, whether one could encounter High Tier Spiritual Materials or not depended on luck.

His luck was quite good; he had successively picked out several pieces of Tier Three High-Level Spiritual Materials needed for refining Puppet joints.

These Tier Three High-Level Spiritual Materials were worth at least several hundred Middle Grade Spirit Stones each; to pick out several pieces in one sweep was already rare good fortune.

In addition to that, he had also acquired some Spirit Crystals essential for inscribing Puppet runes.

It was just that he was still missing the most crucial core Spiritual Material—Tier Three High-Level Star-pattern Steel.

Star-pattern Steel was the key material for refining the core framework of a Puppet; it directly determined the Puppet’s load-bearing capacity and toughness.

Tier Three High-Level Star-pattern Steel was especially rare and seldom appeared at ordinary stalls.